Clare Teal: Songbird all set for Garforth Arts Festival date

YORKSHIRE jazz singer Clare Teal has told of her excitement at the prospect of hitting the high notes at this year’s Garforth Arts Festival.

Clare is one of a number of stars from different musical genres who will be performing at the annual festival’s closing night Playground Party event in the grounds of Garforth Academy this Saturday.

And she can’t wait to take her place on a stage that in previous years has been graced by everyone from Billy Bragg to The Wonder Stuff.

Clare, who will be singing with the BBC Big Band, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I am really looking forward to it – this will be my Garforth debut.

“It’s great for smaller communities to have access to this kind of event with a really diverse range of music.

“It will be good to perform in Yorkshire as well. Even though I don’t live there any more, I always say Yorkshire never leaves you.”

Clare was staying tight-lipped yesterday on the exact songs she has in mind for Saturday’s show.

But she hinted the set could include tributes to legendary names such as Doris Day and Ella Fitzgerald.

Saturday’s Playground Party line-up also includes The Brand New Heavies and Seth Lakeman.

Taking place this year for the 11th time, the festival got under way last Tuesday, June 30.

It is organised by the School Partnership Trust with additional funding and support coming from Arts Council England, CapeUK and Arts@Leeds.

For further information, visit www.garforthartsfestival.co.uk.

l Today’s festival programme includes performances by the Harmony, Free Range and Green Lane choirs at Garforth Academy in an event starting at 7.30pm. The Tom Gee Band, Capacity and Mixolydia are playing at Garforth Working Men’s Club tomorrow, showtime is 7.30pm.